I’ve used a smartwatch ever since the Moto 360 generation one. I’m to the point where I can’t use a phone without a smartwatch. It’s part of my daily and ecosystem. Fitbits really have not been too attractive to me because I prefer the look of a real watch and not a band style. The Fitbit Versa is the closest design to a smartwatch to date from a fitness band. But can it replace your smartwatch?
Short answer, I still like using a smartwatch more than even the Fitbit Versa.
Long answer, there are a few things to go over.
First of all, this is the closest thing to a smartwatch that Fitbit has created, which is a good thing. Like I said, I like the design of a real watch vs a band. For the money, there are so many smartwatch options that compare to the price of a Fitbit. So it always left me scratching my head why people would rather use a Fitbit over a smartwatch.
Another reason I don’t get why people choose a Fitbit over a smartwatch is you pretty much get all the health and fitness features and options on a smartwatch. A smartwatch also has SO many more features than a Fitbit. Samsung Health, Apple Health, Google Fit, Nike apps, and the list goes on. Personally, I would much rather invest in a smartwatch with ALL the features than a Fitbit that still kinda looks like a toy.
Now I know this all sounds like a negative review at this point, but I want to go over how I judge smartwatch and fitness tracker.
The Fitbit Versa costs $200. You can find many Android Wear and Samsung Watches for about the same price or more depending on the model you’re looking at. What about Apple Watches? A new Series 3 basic model can be bought around $350.
Who is the Fitbit Versa for?
If you’re an Apple user you are very limited in smartwatch options, which leads me to the question, “Who is the Fitbit Versa for?”
I think the Fitbit Versa is a perfect alternative to the Apple Watch. But if you are only looking not use an Apple Watch. I think you would be perfectly happy with a Fitbit Versa paired with an iPhone. But if you are wanting something with all the features using an iPhone, the Apple Watch is your only option.
The watch is really lightweight, which makes it great for those who don’t like to wear watches or bands. I don’t think you would notice it after a while.
Since I have gone over the main cons of the Fitbit Versa, let’s chat about the pros.
Features
- Battery life up to 4+ days*
- Lightweight with aerospace–grade aluminum
- Storage for up to 300 songs, no phone required
- 15+ exercise modes
- Apps for sports, weather and more
- Notifications and quick replies for calls, calendar events, and texts
- Personalized workouts with Fitbit Coach
- Connects to smartphone GPS
- Tracks heartrates during workouts and over time
- Provides health insights and personalized guidance
- PurePulse® heart rate tracking
- Automatically track workouts with SmartTrackâ„¢
- Record light, deep and REM sleep patterns
- Personalized guiding breathing lessons
- Hi-res color touchscreen with 1000 nits
- Compatible with wireless Bluetooth® headphones like the Fitbit Flyer
Final Thoughts
If you are invested in the Fitbit ecosystem this is the best one yet and you will be perfectly happy with it. Me, however, I like all the bells and whistles. When using Android I love using the Gear S3 with Samsung Pay. Samsung Health does a great job at keeping up with my health stats. Using an iPhone, nothing beats the Apple Watch.
If you are new to the smartwatch and fitness tracker world, I would suggest looking into a regular smartwatch vs this Fitbit Versa. Not saying this Fitbit is bad, I just think for the money, there are better options out there.